Matthew 25:14-15 14. For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Verse 14 - For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

[A] This parable was spoken by Jesus to illustrate how he would be going away returning to his kingdom in heaven, and how he would deal with men when he returned to judge the world Luke 19:12 12. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

[B] The man who is referred to here simply as a man, is Jesus [1] Traveling into a far country [a] Jesus is referring to being away from his disciples, and going to heaven [b] He is referring to leaving his servants in charge, [2] Who are his servants? [a] Those who follow him, [b] Those who serve him

[C] He called his servants to him and delivered unto them his goods Ephesians 4:8 8. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. [1] Although the parable is talking of talents, or money here, the talents Jesus us referring too is referring to any and all that Christ gives us to work with as a Christian. [a] When a soul receives Jesus Christ as their savior, they receive the Holy Spirit as well. [b] When the Holy Spirit comes into us, we receive from it a special gift, a gift that enables us to do a special work for Jesus. [c] Not all receive the same gifts, and some receive more than others.

Verse 15 - And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

[A] The Talents [1] A talent was a sum of money, or weight of silver or gold, which amounted to three thousand shekels. [a] A silver shekel was worth, about a half a dollar - our money. [b] A talent of silver was worth about $1519.23, [c] A talent of gold would have been worth about $24,309.88 [2] The parable does not tell us whether it was gold or silver that was given

[B] As I already stated, the talents represent the gifts of the spirit Christ gives us. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 1. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

[C] According to his ability [1] Since God knows the heart of a man, he also knows the ability we possess as well [2] He does not expect anything from us, more than we are able to do

[D] Each man was given a certain amount [1] To one five talents were given [2] To one two talents were given [3] To one only one talent was given

[E] Than the man, namely Jesus went away [1] The gifts are given to all believers. [2] They are entrusted to us, to use until we die, or Jesus returns whichever comes first [3] What we do with the talents or gifts is entirely up to us, but as we shall see, Christ expects us to use them. [4] Because he is not telling us exactly how to use the gifts, and standing there making sure we do, it is extremely hard for many of us to use them, so the gifts we receive are wasted.

Matthew 25:16-18 16. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

Verse 16 - Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

[A] The servant who received the five talents invested them and made more

[B] Apparently this man had the ability to do much, so Christ gave him much [1] He took what God gave him, and invested it [2] How do we invest the gift that God gives us? [3] How do we make our gift increase?

Verse 17 - And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

[A] The servant who received the two talents did the same as the one with five

[B] He only received two talents, therefore we can determine that he did not have the ability of the first, even so, he had some and God entrusted him with what his ability allowed him to receive

Verse 18 - But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

[A] The one who received the one, refused to use it, but instead hid it away

[B] He was given talents according to his ability the same as the first two [1] Why did he hide his away? [2] Why would he not want to use the gifts God gave him?

Matthew 25:19-30 19. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25. And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27. Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Verse 19 - After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them

[A] Jesus who has gone away to his kingdom will eventually come again and judge the righteous and the unrighteous for what they did or did not believe and what they did or did not do

[B] Many today, seem to have lost their fear of Christ, [1] Those who do believe he is coming again, believe he will nut punish those who do not believe [2] Those who do not believe he is coming, live their lives believing that they can do anything they desire [3] Many in the Christian community refuse to believe they have to do what the bible teaches.

[C] Someday Jesus is going to come again and judge the world,

Verse 20 & 21 - And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

[A] The first servant took what the master left with him, and invested it [1] The things he invested multiplied [2] As a result he had twice as much to give back as he started with

[B] The master was very pleased

Verse 22 & 23 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

[A] The same held true for the second servant, he too invested what he had been given and doubled it.

[B] The master was very pleased

Verse 24-27 - Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

[A] The third man, did nothing with his talent [1] Jesus shows us in this man that there is no excused fro not using what he gave us, even though it is a very small thing. [2] God will require of us only according to our ability,

[B] The Master was very upset.

Verses 28-30 - Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

[A] What the man with the one talent had been given was taken from him

[B] His one talent was given to the man with the ten talents

[C] The slothful servant was cast into outer darkness – hell

[D] The spiritual meaning of this parable can be summed up thus: [1] The servants of God are not all endowed with equal gifts and talents. [2] They are bound to employ their talents in promoting his honour, and in a proper improvement of them. [3] By employing their talents in a proper manner, they improve and strengthen them. [4] They will be judged according to the improvements they have made [5] All sinners look on God as a hard master, and as unreasonable and tyrannical. [6] They will be judged, not merely for doing wrong, but for neglecting to do right. [7] If the servant who kept the talent entire without injuring it, and who returned it to his master as he received it, was nevertheless judged, condemned, and cast away, what must they expect who abuse their talents, destroy by drunkenness and lust the noble faculties conferred on them, and squander the property that might be employed in advancing the interests of morals and religion!